<p>Hi, my name is Shen and I live in New York. I got accepted by RISD with scholarship/Financial aid of 27K a year with no work studies. The estimate cost of RISD is 57000 per year and my parents are able to afford 15000 leave the rest 30k i will have to loan. I want to major in architecture and it is a five year program wich will give me $75000+ debt after i graduate. i see the tuition went up last few years so that means it could go up in the future. i also worry about the scholarship because it seems it will be redetermined every year meaning i could get more or less.
I also have other schools to consider for examples MICA, Pratt, and SVA. They all offers similar money. I got in Pratt architecture which someone argues is as good as RISD and SVA 3D animation Honors program. for sva and pratt They have advantages of being in NY, i can live at home and save the dorm money and they both offers work studies. SVA has cheaper tuitions and with the work studies and little loan, i dont need my parent's help to pay for the school. Also the scholarship and financial aid is almost secure for 4 years. But the problem is i used to be interested in 3D animation but now i feel architecture is better suited for me. I didn't have experience of both major so it is not a sure thing to say. while SVA is a good place to learn 3D animation it does not have architecture program. I really like RISD and its foundation program which allows freshmen have a better idea of choosing major after a year of fundamental study. But does RISD worth the extra $25000 per year?
I have to mail the deposit for registration before may 1 but I still can't decide. Please give any advices, Thank you!</p>
<p>I can’t really advise you about whether RISD is worth the loan although I tend to advise avoiding loans as much as possible. $75,000 for a starting out architect would be very heavy debt burden. Check out starting salaries online although of course you could land a dream job but I will strongly suggest that you find a summer internship or offer to work for free at an architecture firm this summer or before you get too far into the major. Just to see if you can get a feel for rather you would like the actual work before you go too far into debt getting the degree. That makes Pratt seem desirable as the intern possibility is much better.</p>
<p>In fact I’d advise this to anyone interested in a particular field, especially a 5 year field. The actual work experience can be very enlightening and unless you’re absolutely set on your chosen path or have parents or resources that would allow you to do some extra years for study if you change your mind, I heartedly recommend this.</p>
<p>I agree. Pratt has an excellent reputation, you will have a foundation year, but one geared to architecture students. There is a campus, so even if you decide to live at home, there is a place to hang out and meet other students, whereas at SVA, you don’t get that. Unless you have always dreamed of going to and having a degree from RISD, I think you’ll find that Pratt has as strong a reputation and is more affordable (although your scholarship from RISD deserves a big congratulations, and you clearly are very talented and should be very proud, regardless). Good luck!</p>
<p>Yes, I meant to mention that also. That’s a very impressive nod from RISD. From reading here I have the impression that it’s very unusual for them to offer such a substantial scholarship. Definitely something to be proud of.</p>